Astros report: Krauss makes most of rare appearance

Rookie outfielder Marc Krauss was one of the few Astros inside the team’s clubhouse when doors opened to the media Friday afternoon and one of the last Astros to exit Rogers Centre field after warmups.

Pregame, the 25-year-old who entered Friday’s contest hitting .175 with a .470 on-base plus slugging percentage in 40 at-bats acknowledged he felt better than his numbers showed.
“A month in, I’m definitely comfortable with everybody on the team and everybody’s been great. Very helpful in helping me along and just little things that you don’t even think of,” said Krauss, who was recalled June 20 from Class AAA Oklahoma City and had played sparingly since.

After finishing 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and four RBIs during the Astros’ 12-6 loss to the Blue Jays on Friday, Krauss finally had statistical proof he was swinging well but regularly hitting into bad-luck outs.

Bo Porter started Krauss on Friday because the Astros’ manager realized it had been a while since the rookie had cracked a lineup. Krauss responded with a reminder that Chris Carter isn’t the only Astro with power.

“It’s way too early to come to a conclusion (about Krauss),” Porter said. “I’m going to do everything I can to get him some more at-bats and some more playing time.”

Porter going with the pieces at hand

Lucas Harrell’s midseason transition from the Astros’ No. 2 starter to a long reliever is off to a rough start.

Harrell has allowed 15 hits and eight runs in 111⁄3 combined innings since being moved out of the rotation July 7, while allowing at least two walks in all four of his relief appearances.

He has only won once since May 31 and seen his ERA increase to 5.17. But with the Astros’ bullpen possessing an MLB-worst 5.06 ERA prior to giving up eight runs Friday and Bo Porter citing closer Jose Veras as the club’s lone reliable reliever, Harrell is expected to continue to receive the ball in key late-game situations.

“The guys that we have down there are the guys that we have to use,” Porter said. “And given the situations, I’m going to continue to use him until we get some different parts down there.”

Club tasks Sparks with double duty

To prepare for R.A. Dickey’s knuckleball, the Astros briefly called team radio announcer Steve Sparks out of retirement — for an indoor batting practice session.

Sparks, 48, changed into warmup gear and threw his trademark pitch to several Astros. Following his one-day comeback, a heavily sweating Sparks (59-76, 4.88 ERA in nine seasons) gave several tongue-in-cheek interviews. He also received rave reviews from the Astros’ suddenly much-improved hitters.